Conrad Johnson and Herron comparisons

I own the ET5, it fits your description perfectly.  The biggest change for me going from a premier 14 to the ET5 was the incredible clarity from the new design and teflon caps.  It could easily be my last preamp.

I have never heard the Herron but it always gets glowing reviews from people who own the brand.  You really can't go wrong with any of your choices.

After Needle Doctor folded, Keith Herron called me out of the blue and assured me he was available for service and upgrades for my vtsp360 r3.  Now that’s service.  The 360 has an r5 upgrade but I’m in no hurry, I’m as pleased now as ever.  The performance he gets from today’s tubes is like NOS.  Remarkable.

If you want a better preamp look at VAC asap.

Languidcrane, I don't mind at all, thank you for asking and enriching this thread.... interesting that The Herron VTSP 3A & 360 are so highly rated here....they aren't the easiest to come by used tho'.....and the VTSP 360 new is quite a chunk of cash.... I'd love to get my hands on a VTSP 3a rev3 or a 360.
Also interesting to learn that the CJ ET5 has a propensity to burn out tubes....that might make one reconsider one's options..JJSS49's suggestion of using the 7DJ8's is a potential solution, I wonder what other ET5 owners feel about the effects on the sound using the 7DJ8 variant.

@saika2

short answer on et5 and 7dj8 pcc88 - it completely solves the premature tube burnout problem, plenty of options for tube rolling, excellent sound, and a good bit cheaper than 6 volt versions to boot

cj has been out there in the market buying lots of better old stock 7 volt tubes i understand, as they have made the switch in their manufacturing of their higher end units with this issue